mildew stains

[Don Prince]

I have owned a 1985 H28.5 for over a year now. I am currently having a problem keeping mildew stains off various (and numerous) places of the deck and cockpit. I have no problem getting rid of it with cleaning , the problem is keeping it away. Within 3 weeks after cleaning it comes back even stronger and more wide spread. Does anyone have any suggestions???  Thanks Don

 

[A.L. (]

Prevention is better than cure

Mildew stains that are deep into vinyl are pretty much there for good and even if mildew is killed, the discoloraiton remains- paint over it!With fiberglass gelcoat, the mildew grows in the chalk/dirt down into the porous microcrevices. Obviously bleach (including oxalic acid-based oxidizing agents) etc can penetrate well into the porosity and kill the mildew and remove most discoloration.What is needed is something that stays in the gelcoat and protects it. ALso brown/purple/green algae can be another source of discoloration growing in the deep seated chalk.To my knowledge, ISLAND GIRL Cleanser/Conditioners (CLEAR for any color, SEA GLOW to restore brightenss to white, blue, red etc) are still the only cleaners that contain a conditioner that exert such protection in any plastic that can absorb the conditioner. They also protect against oxidation/UV damage.Plastics include gelcoat, vinyl, rubber and hypalon.Sorry it sounds like an advert but if you guys out there know of anything else I would like to know and get some for side by side testing.ThanksJIm W

 

[Dave Dahlstrom]

I'm not sure about the fiberglass, but vinyl cleans up easy using a "lemon". Yup! Cut a lemon in half and rub out the mildew. Removed the stain too.

 

[A.L. ("Jim") Willis Pres of ISLAND GIRL PROD.]

Lemon aid! its d-limonene

Actually the peel of lemons or oranges contains a turpene (yes related to turpentine) that is called d-limonene.In fact the trick of using orange peel as a "cleaner" is used by people whoe sell d-limonene based cleaners.Purified d-limonene will clean up marker, paint etc but tends to make vinyl sticky (bit too non-selective). It's flammable of course, but its non-selectivity is best shown by putting d-limonene in a polystyrene cup -it eats the plastic! you cn also drip polystyrene beads into d-limonene and watch them dissolve!. Isn't polystyrene used in foam cored fiberglass?Bottom line- use d-limonen based cleaners only with plenty of water dilution and use with care. Lemon might still be OK but really as party trick.Jim W